Recording Drums: Achieving a Realistic Drum Sound

Recording Drums: Achieving a Realistic Drum Sound

Having two ears with which to hear, we perceive the location of a sound using stereo location (timing, level and frequency differences.) On an instrument as big as a drum kit, for the drums to sound real, everything needs to be in the correct place in the stereo image. Using the AB stereo micing method allows for the timing differences to be captured and matched with the level differences introduced by the pan pot, allowing our brains to perceive the recording as “real”.